Skye Returns to the Canyon!

About nine days after his accident, Skye was returned to the Downtown canyon at around 6:45 Friday evening. He didn’t wait long before taking to the air again. He left the release site on the roof of the Adirondack Bank and headed for Hotel Utica where he made a perfect landing on that buildings higher ledge. Before long, Astrid, who had been perched on the State Office Building, made a few low passes or swoops. It wasn’t the most welcoming move she could’ve made, but next to her aggressive response to Orion’s reintroduction a few weeks before, this wasn’t too bad. Meanwhile, both Comet and Ares made no moves. Watchers on the ground didn’t know where Ares was, but Comet had flown in a little earlier and was perched on the east face of the State Office Building. By an hour later, Skye had flown a few more times – landing on the State Building, the Adirondack Bank and Hotel Utica once again. Astrid dogged him once or twice during these flights, but thankfully, she didn’t drive him too hard or force him into any reckless landings. When Ares returned, both he and Comet took a turn flying with Skye. Their interactions were more encouraging. Skye even shared a window ledge with his brother for a few minutes. In assessing Skye’s flights, we were a little concerned that he was showing some stiffness in one wing – meaning that he is not exactly 100 % yet. Still he managed to maintain height, perform evasive maneuvers and land with no apparent difficulty.

For the next week we will require Fledge Watch volunteers to observe this situation. We have no reason at this point to believe that Skye will be rejected by the family, but given that possibility and the fact that Skye’s flying is not yet up to full strength, he may just need some spotters for a little while.